"Things go wrong sometimes," added Raikkonen, who is confident recent testing in Monza has ironed out his technical problems.

His Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa will also be determined to press his claims to the drivers' crown in Spa.

After a fourth victory of the season in Valencia, Massa closed to within six points of Hamilton in the standings.

The Englishman expects Ferrari to have the edge in Belgium, but is confident he can run them close in his McLaren.

"On the tracks with the long straights they always seem to have a slight advantage, but I think it will balance out," said the 23-year-old, who finished fourth at Spa last year.

"Here they will be strong like they were last year, but we have made a step forward with our car and we should be able to challenge them this weekend. Last year we weren't in a position to do so."

And Hamilton is confident that McLaren will have the upper hand over Ferrari in at least four of the five remaining races after Belgium.

"I think in Monza they will probably be a lot quicker than they were last year, but still I think we will have the upper hand," he said.

"In Singapore they will probably be very quick like they were in Valencia, so maybe they will have the upper hand there. Fuji and Shanghai, last year we were very strong there.

"I honestly feel we have the better package for the remaining races."

However, BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica has backed Massa to pip Hamilton to a maiden championship.

"I said at the beginning of the year that if I had to put money on anybody then I would put it on Massa, and I will stick with that," said Kubica, who is two points adrift of Raikkonen in fourth place.

Massa has everything to fight for the championship, and maybe to win it.

BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica

"I think most people don't realise he is doing a very good job. To trouble Kimi is not easy, but he has done it.

"In some races Kimi has been quicker, but lately Felipe has more often been in front of him, and with quite considerable gaps.

"In the past Felipe has made mistakes but he is now doing a very good job. He has made massive progress.

"He has everything to fight for the championship, and maybe to win it.

"But everything will come down to car performance and which track better suits Ferrari or McLaren."

With the weather in Spa prone to change rapidly, conditions over the race weekend could swing in favour of each rival team.

But the initial forecast of rain and low temperatures for Sunday could play into McLaren's hands as their cars have tended to respond better to cooler conditions.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.